Once again the tweets of the US president expose how unfit he is for high public office. His “mine is bigger than yours” tweet (see below) to Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, is schoolyard stuff.

The thing is, there were actually tweets President Trump got right yesterday. He did three in support of the protestors in Iran. But even then there were childish digs at Obama, including one that got the facts wrong. (I’ve just reproduced the good one below.) He thus made sure those who oppose him didn’t need to mention what he got right.

The far left is saying it’s better not to mention Iran. Back in 2009, during Iran’s Green Revolution, President Obama kept out of things. I remember reading a book by one of the leaders of that protest at the time, and he said it was better for the US to keep out of it too. I think that was a good call. The protestors were protesting an election and for the US to step in that time would have had the appearance of both political interference and colonialism.

This time though, it’s a different story. The revolution is much more a grass roots effort. It has no leaders and has spread organically throughout the country. It also has slightly different goals. It’s much more about principles – principles that are core values in Western democracy. That is, freedom of expression, freedom to protest, and freedom from corruption. Therefore, expressing support is the right thing to do.

So Trump right to support the protestors, despite what the far-left reflexively say. He must be careful not to go much beyond tweets though. If he is seen as trying to intervene in any way, he will undermine the efforts of the protestors. It is important for their integrity that they be seen as independent from Western influence. Frankly, Trump joining in on the side of the protestors will taint their efforts.

Another reason for the US to stay out is it’s their sanctions that are one of the main reasons the moderate President Rouhani is having difficulty reforming the country. (The other big reason is the conservative clerics.) So the US is championing a protest that is the result of problems they caused is not a good look.

The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, complete with a coterie of well-covered women, finally spoke out yesterday. He blames it all on the country’s “enemies.” He didn’t specify who that was, but he’s referring to Saudi Arabia. Iran and Saudi Arabia are, of course, in a proxy war in Yemen at the moment. What he should do is announce he will sit down with Rouhani and negotiate a reduction in financial support for religion.

President Rouhani has done some good since taking over the country. One of the things he has done is to make government expenditure more transparent. He wants to spend more on things like infrastructure, but the clerics, especially the conservative ones, want no reduction in the billions they get from government. Opening up the books means that the people now know just how much the clerics are getting, and with unemployment as high as 60% in some areas, they’re not happy.

To a slightly lesser extent, the people are also unhappy with how much the war in Yemen is costing. However, many see that as necessary expenditure. Standing up to the regional dominance of Saudi Arabia is still important to them.

How these protests will play out is anyone’s guess. I certainly don’t feel up to predicting what will happen. In the meantime, people have died and many more are suffering, so I hope a peaceful resolution can be found soon.

This video is almost eleven minutes long, but includes a pretty good discussion of the issues.

 

Really Big Stuff Tweets!

Why isn’t this big news?
(Via Ann German.)

 

 

Political Tweets

We now know Mitch McConnell is officially “disturbed.” This is an official gif!!!
(Via Ann German.)

 

This is one of the responses!

 

There’s a lot that could he added to the lower pic, including abortion.

 

I wonder if right-wing media will be trumpeting this? Or complaining about left-wing media reporting this?

 

This is a problem too. As always, the extremists take control when times get tough. That’s what happened to the Republicans. However, it has to be said that some things that are called “far left” in the US are normal elsewhere, like universal healthcare and paid maternity leave.

Mueller Time Tweets

Now what’s happening?!
(Via Ann German.)

 

Pre-Mueller Time Tweets

Remember the ads?

 

Yes!
(Via Ann German.)

 

Human Rights Tweets

You may have seen images of a young girl in videos of the protests in Iran who tied her white hijab to a stick in protest. (You can see it at Why Evolution is True.) She has apparently disappeared. These women won’t let her be forgotten.

 

 

Another brave woman in Iran.

 

Religion Tweets

Just sayin’.

Sports Tweets

Very cool!

 

History Tweets

Politics done right.
(Via Ann German.)

 

This is very cool!
(Via Ann German.)

 

Art Tweets

Cool.

 

Scenic Tweets

Some lovely old buildings in the capital of Latvia.

 

Paleontology Tweets

A new lineage of Native Americans found.

 

Creepy-Crawlies Tweets

My new name for the Insect Tweets section, since I include stuff like spiders that aren’t insects, and I don’t know enough to class all the different creatures. Here’s a gorgeous one to start with.

 

Growing up! (Yes, I know they’re different critters.)

 

Other Animals Tweets

Very interesting update from Slimbridge this month. Lots of birds and otters!

 

Yes, Linda Calhoun, kids are cute. Even if they do grow into smelly billy goats. 🙂
(Via Ann German.)

 

Don’t mess with the bear!
(Via Ann German.)

 

It’s gorgeous! (As long as you’re in a safe place!)
(Via Ann German.)

 

Bird Tweets

Great pic!
(Via Ann German.)

 

Penguins are cool. Literally.

 

Dog Tweets

Beautiful dogs!

 

Poor doggie! I’m glad she’s safe now!

 

Oh dear …

 

Good man.

Cat Tweets

What a brilliant pic!
(Via Ann German.)

 

Nervous kitty …

 

Nothing happening here. Move along. It want’s to be licked. Really.

 

This cat has its staff well trained!!!

 

Cats are best for dogs too.


 

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